Measure K School Bonds: Frequently Asked Questions
Faced with aging classrooms, overcrowded high schools and the need to bring school buildings up to earthquake standards, the Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education recently voted to place a $1.2 billion school construction and renovation bond measure on the November 4, 2008 ballot.
Resolution No.072108-D CORRECTED 
(Revision of Exhbit A and Exhibit B)
Q:
Why did the Board of Education call for a school bond now?
A:
The school district recently conducted a thorough study regarding the condition of its schools and classrooms. LBUSD also spent more than two years meeting with and soliciting input from thousands of community members to craft a School Building Improvement Plan. The district has taken all of the community’s recommendations and prioritized their top concerns.
Q:
What major repairs and additions are needed in the Long Beach Unified School District?
A:
More than 80 percent of the school district’s permanent buildings were built prior to 1970. They need repairs such as these:
- Addressing handicap accessibility requirements
- Removing lead paint and asbestos
- Upgrading and expanding instructional technology, such as computer hardware and network infrastructure
- Retrofitting schools vulnerable to damage in a major earthquake
- Building smaller high school learning communities
- Upgrading science labs and other classrooms, libraries, restrooms, plumbing and roofs
- Improving energy and water efficiency
Q:
Doesn’t the state provide funding for school repairs and construction?
A:
Yes, but the state does so in the form of matching funds. The school district is eligible for approximately $286,100,000 in state matching funds.
Q:
Will school districts that don’t come up with local matching funds be able to qualify for state matching funds?
A:
No. State bonds would be distributed to other school districts that have already won approval of local school bonds.
Q:
How has the state budget crisis affected Long Beach schools?
A:
The school district cut more than $40 million this year, on top of deep cuts in recent years, due to California’s ongoing budget crisis. One bright spot regarding state funding is that California provides matching funds for construction and renovation.
Q:
Where can I find out more about Measure K?
A:
Your sample ballot will contain an impartial analysis of Measure K and ballot statements. To learn more about the plan upon which Measure K is based, visit
www.lbschools.net and click on School Building Plan.
This fact sheet is provided for your information. It is not an endorsement for any ballot measure.
